The vocalists for the Prince Ensemble, from left to right: David Jiles, Lucia Sentirenla Panicker, Maureen McMullan and Vince Sneed.

The Berklee Springfest draws an enthusiastic crowd to the Prudential Center's sun-drenched park.

Jonathan Ong, one of two guitarists for the Prince Ensemble.

Photo by Larissa Mota

Photo by Angela Miller

Photo by Angela Miller

Photo by Larissa Mota

Photo by Rob Hochschild

Photo by Larissa Mota

Photo by Larissa Mota

Photo by Rob Hochschild

A collective of Berklee students put their growing knowledge of music professions to the test last week with the first-ever Berklee Spring Fest, held in an outdoor plaza at the foot of Boston's Prudential Center. The free event featured some of Berklee's most talented student groups performing for an enthusiastic Back Bay crowd on a sun-drenched Saturday afternoon.

The lineup included Emily Elbert, Eric Robertson and the Boston Boys, Julia Easterlin, Re-Up, Tin Soldiers, and Purple Rain, a 17-piece student group performing the music of Prince. The event also featured a bazaar of sorts, with various community vendors as well as a few activities for children.

Cosponsored by Berklee's Student Activities Center and the Shops at Prudential Center, the event was organized primarily by a group of students who handled the booking, production, engineering, stage management, promotions, and marketing. The core team included Lauren Vargas (production); Megan Lui (booking and volunteers); Christine Occhino (promotions); Angela Miller (vendors); and Adrian "Zak" Zakrzewski (stage management).